You Think This Young Lady Is Scared Easily!

"Heh! Do you really think I'm made of paper?"

Xia Yiran sneered, curling her lip dismissively. She didn't take Jun Wushang seriously at all.

In her eyes, the Heavenly Realm Division was just a pack of guard dogs for the royal family.

With Consort Xia and the Third Prince currently in favor, if the Third Prince were to become emperor in the future, the Xia Family would become the most prestigious noble family in Great Zhou.

Therefore, as a junior member of the Xia Family, she wouldn't even deign to notice the Heavenly Realm Division.

"Whether I'm scaring you or not, why don't we find out?"

Wei Qing suddenly stepped forward, his icy gaze fixed directly on Xia Yiran.

Under his stare, Xia Yiran couldn't help but shiver.

"How dare you! You actually dare..."

A household servant, seeing his mistress startled, immediately jumped out and pointed at Wei Qing's nose, ready to curse.

With his master backing him, the servant instantly puffed up with confidence.

"Swish—"

A cold glint flashed, and Wei Qing's sword was already back in its sheath.

The servant's right hand, which had been pointing at Wei Qing, fell to the ground with a "pat." Blood immediately gushed out.

"Ah! My hand...!"

The servant clutched his severed wrist, writhing and wailing on the ground, his face contorted in pain.

Another servant, who was about to charge forward, was instantly terrified. His legs trembled uncontrollably, and he looked at Wei Qing as if he had seen the King of Hell himself.

The surrounding commoners, while feeling a sense of satisfaction, were also panicked.

"Young man, you've caused a huge disaster!" an old vegetable vendor exclaimed, stomping his feet anxiously. "You should run!"

"Yes, yes, the Xia Family is not to be trifled with. Someone's going to get killed!" a nearby aunt whispered, urging them on.

Su Lie, who had just been rescued, was sweating profusely with anxiety. "Benefactor, I am grateful for your great kindness, but please, do not lose your lives because of me!"

"Trying to run?" Xia Yiran snapped back to her senses, a cold laugh escaping her lips. "Where in Great Zhou can you possibly escape to?"

She was about to utter more threats when a sudden chill brushed against her neck. A cold, gleaming long saber was now pressed against her throat.

"The Heavenly Realm Division serves only His Majesty and the laws of Great Zhou," Wei Qing said, enunciating each word. "Even if a member of the imperial family breaks the law, the Heavenly Realm Division will still arrest them. This is a rule set by the Founding Emperor."

He narrowed his eyes. "What, does your Xia Family consider yourselves greater than the Founding Emperor? Are you planning a rebellion?"

"You, you're spouting nonsense!" Xia Yiran's face instantly turned pale, her voice cracking.

"When did I ever say such a thing? I'm going to the Ministry of Justice to accuse you of defamation!"

Disregarding the Founding Emperor.

Trampling on the laws set by the Founding Emperor.

If these two serious accusations stuck, it wouldn't just be her, but the entire Xia Family that would be ruined.

"Threatening and intimidating a Heavenly Realm Division Warden, and you say you didn't?"

"Assaulting a commoner in the street, and you say you didn't?"

"Abusing your status as royalty to oppress civilians, and you say you didn't?"

With each statement, Wei Qing's voice grew louder.

Xia Yiran was forced to retreat repeatedly, finally tripping and falling to the ground.

She looked up at Wei Qing, her eyes filled with terror. The arrogance she had displayed moments before was completely gone.

"Sir, you speak too harshly," a grey-robed elder suddenly emerged from the crowd, a smile plastered on his face. "My young lady had absolutely no intention of disrespecting the Founding Emperor."

"It was merely a minor dispute with this young man. We will pay twenty taels of silver."

The grey-robed elder walked up to Su Lie and placed one hundred taels of silver into his hand.

"The extra silver is a token of apology from my young lady. I hope you won't take offense, young man."

"I cannot accept this silver,"

Su Lie refused, pushing the money back.

"All I ask is that Miss Xia not trouble my benefactor in the future."

"Hmm."

The elder paused for a moment, a hint of admiration appearing in his gaze as he looked at Su Lie.

He hadn't expected this young man, despite his youth, to not only resist the temptation of money but also to be so grateful and righteous.

"You are very good. You should accept the silver. Things that the Xia Family gives away are never taken back."

With that, the elder forcefully stuffed the silver into Su Lie's embrace and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, young man, my young lady will absolutely not cause trouble for Lord Wei."

"You know me?"

Wei Qing looked at the elder before him, certain he had never met the man before.

The old man in the grey robe chuckled, "Of course. Lord Wei Yuan's only son, who single-handedly slew a sixth-rank demon and quelled the demon uprising in Qingcheng. I've heard Lord Wei's name more times than I can count."

"It's not just me. Who in the Imperial City doesn't know of Lord Wei's reputation now?"

"Mmm."

Wei Qing frowned slightly.

He had only mentioned slaying the Spirit Rhino Demonic Cat in the intelligence report sent to the Heavenly Realm Division.

Why had it become common knowledge throughout the city now?

He felt as if a vast net was closing in on him.

It seemed.

This return to the capital would be more exciting than he had imagined.

Wen Liang cupped his hands in a bow, his attitude sincere, "The Xia Family was indeed in the wrong today. I, on behalf of my young lady, offer apologies to both of you."

"I hope Lord Wei and Warden Jun will let this matter go, for the sake of Consort Xia and the Third Prince?"

Jun Wushang stood to the side, holding his saber, and did not reply.

"May I ask your name, senior?"

Wei Qing did not answer directly but instead asked, "And how should I address you, senior?"

"This old servant is the Xia Family Steward, Wen Liang," the old man replied respectfully.

"Since Steward Wen has said so," Wei Qing clasped his fists, "it would seem petty of us to dwell on it further."

In truth, the moment this old man appeared, Wei Qing knew this matter wouldn't escalate.

The faint pressure emanating from Wen Liang clearly indicated he was no ordinary person.

Yet, he had adopted such a humble stance.

Furthermore, with Consort Xia and the Third Prince being brought up, insisting on pursuing the matter would make them seem unreasonable.

Upon hearing this, Wen Liang immediately bowed, "I thank you on behalf of my young lady, Lord Wei."

"If you have leisure in the future, you are welcome to visit the Xia Family. We will certainly offer you a grand reception."

Wei Qing cast a meaningful glance at Xia Yiran, who was still stunned, and said lightly, "After we return to the capital and report, we will certainly pay a visit if we have time. I only hope the Xia Family won't turn us away then."

"Rest assured, Lord Wei," Wen Liang said with a smile, waving his hand. "Your concerns will not materialize."

He beckoned to someone outside the crowd, and two maids quickly ran over to help Xia Yiran, who was still dazed on the ground.

As the young lady was leaving, she couldn't resist glaring fiercely, which was caught by Wei Qing, who had been watching her.

"Let today's matter be concluded. I await Lord Wei's arrival in the Imperial City," Wen Liang said, bowing in farewell.

"Until we meet again," Wei Qing returned the gesture with clasped fists.

After Wen Liang and his party had walked far away, Jun Wushang nudged Wei Qing, "Old Wei, what did you mean by that just now? There was more to it, wasn't there?"

Wei Qing sheathed his saber, a half-smile on his face, "Was there? Just a normal polite exchange."

"Oh, come on!" Jun Wushang rolled his eyes.

"That Xia family young lady's eyes were practically dripping with venom when she left, and you still said you'd visit? If you say there's nothing going on, I wouldn't believe you even if you were the Emperor!"

Wei Qing patted his good friend's shoulder and lowered his voice, "As long as you believe it!"